Last night's game was less notable for the final score (Nationals 5, Rockies 3) than it was for the scary scene in the top of the second that saw Colorado right-hander Juan Nicasio plummet to the ground after getting hit in the head by a line drive off Ian Desmond's bat. For those who haven't heard the latest update, Nicasio had surgery to stabilize a fractured C-1 vertebrae in his neck. Though the club said he's "resting comfortably," it's by no means an insignificant injury. The Rockies training staff is scheduled to update media members later today.

As for tonight's game, Livan Hernandez gets the ball for the Nationals. The veteran right-hander had been suffering through a rough stretch, but he bounced back nicely Monday to beat the Braves and allow only one run over six innings. The talented Jhoulys Chacin (who held the Nats to one run in seven innings last month but hasn't won in his last eight starts, pitches for Colorado.

I'm out of town for the rest of the weekend with limited access to my computer. I'll try to get the lineups posted later, but in the meantime I wanted to get the game thread up so everyone could read the latest on Nicasio. Enjoy tonight's game…

Thanks, Mark. We needed a new post, the threads on the one from yesterday were getting seriouisly tangled. We're pulling for Juan Nicasio. Saw lots of posts on the MLB site from all over the country.Enjoy your break.

Many baseball safety innovations have come to market, e.g., Rawlings and their S100 Batting Helmet (protects up to 100MPH), Evoshield and their custom forming protective products (chest, shin, and Espy wears an Evo on the elbow). And Easton-Bell cannot come out fast enough with their new pitching helmet. Our pre-HS player wears the Evo for the chest, and uses the S100, and once Easton comes out with that pitchers helmet, it'll be on his dome. But pro baseball is not moving fast enough to adopt these protective measures. David Wright caught grief for wearing the oversized S100. And baseball is adamant about not extending protective netting around the back of dugouts. Until baseball (owners, players, union) starting moving faster than a glacial pace, I fear more accidents in the future. And it may be that death is the impetus for actions, e.g., Mike Coolbaugh's death a few years ago, that poor young girl from behind the goal during a hockey game. Do we really have to wait for tragedy to strike before adopting greater safety devices?

It looked like the real damage was caused after Nicasio was hit by the ball. He took a nasty fall onto his neck, maybe after losing consciousness in the split seconds after being hit, which is probably what caused the damage to his neck.Here's to hoping for a speedy recovery in time for next season!

Joemktg – I am with you. Misplaced machismo and blind adherence to tradition causes these holdbacks. In my daughter's 10 yr old softball league, all the infielders wear faceguards (a little over the top, if you ask me, because most of them can't hit it on a fly to an infielder, but I have no issue with it)The pitcher issue is not as simple as putting up dugout protection though, because the helmet isn't addressing the bigger concern (the face). That moves you to masks, which may restrict lateral vision to holding runners on, etc, and also may distract a pitcher when they are in their wind up. But manufacturers should be able to address it, and something should be done. For instance, in the 7th inning or so, Morse hit a rocket up the middle for a hit (after 10 pitches or so) and it missed the pitcher by a foot. Could have been another nightmare.I also think broken bats are going to result in a really bad injury one of these days, but that has been talked about a lot.

Really shocked by the severity of this injury – and it does appear that it happened when he fell. In general, it seems like the worst injuries actually happen in collisions, like Buster Posey. Everyone was talking about Lannan last night, watching as it happened, but Jordan got hit with line drive in college and had his jaw wired shut. That must have brought back scary memories for him, too – and he had to go out there and pitch after it. Freak accidents can happen in any sports and baseball players wear almost no protection of any kind. I think even if you get hit in the head wearing a helmet, it would ring your chimes. Wishing the guy a speedy recovery – and I am so glad that the training staff was so well trained and kept him so still so as to prevent further damage. Good for them that they recognized the seriousness.They never let him move at all, thank goodness.

Everyone knows it's not Desi's fault but I bet he feels kind of strange about it. Ironic that he just really started hitting….2 weeks ago he would have struck out. Was it really just last Saturday that they traded Jimenez mid-game and this guy came in? Their team must be in shock over this.

Gregg Easterbrook writes a column for ESPN.com, Tuesday Morning Quarterback (highly recommended by Unkyd! A long read, but wide ranging and witty…), during the football season. TMQ is relentless in his criticism on many subjects, but none more so than head protection, and the professional athlete's reluctance to wear anything that looks unusual! There is some very effective concussion-preventive head gear out there, but if the pros perceive it as goofy looking….notgonnadoit! TMQs issue is not so much the silliness of needless risk, over looking "cool", but that youngsters emulate their heroes, and wind up with more head injuries than they might otherwise have. One would think that, if products exist which significantly reduce risk, without affecting performance, that it would be in the interest of management, as well as labor, to mandate it's use, and even provide regular PSAs, during game broadcasts encouraging youngsters to follow suit…..I yield the soapbox… Get well soon, Nicasio!!! And GYFNGOGOGO!!!!!

In response to FS, at the end of the previous thread: I don't recall having any points re: racial demographics. However, I've been reading about the decline of youth baseball, in urban settings, for years. Hoops seems to have supplanted it, on popularity. MLB demographics (according to Pro Sports Daily):MLB Total: 60% W-EUD, 9% B-AFD, 28.5% H/LD, 2.5% ASD70% National, 30% InternationalAt 9%, one can only expect to see a couple of AA players on any given 25 man roster, less than a third of the Latin representation. So, the comment overheard by NatsLady, would seem to ring true about most clubs.

I have always said that baseball is the only sport that the objects you use to play the game can be used to kill. It does not make it a violent sport but one that has a hidden danger that you should be respected. That is what is great about baseball it really is so much like how your life plays out in the day to day. As for protection, well that can work against you. Have you ever seen the Clint Malarchuk throat cut from his protection shield, that was some horror. Ohh Natslady could you just answer one question where did you hear those comments thankz

"I have always said that baseball is the that the objects you use to play the game can be used to kill."CB, I take it you don't consider hunting a sport. Or watch much hockey, I think. Or lacrosse, for that matter. Still, point is a good one.

Just weighing in on the race thing, I remember someone saying about how after Nyjer got into some kind of trouble in Milwaukee Rickie Weeks and Fielder pulled him aside and kinda talked to him.We've never really had too many African Americans on our team (Livo, Bernadina, Guzman etc. don't count because they're not American). The ones we do acquire seem to have a hard time in the clubhouse (Milledge, Dukes, Nyjer). I wonder if there has been some hazing? I know Billy Wagner hazed Milledge pretty hard when he was in NY. Bo Porter was working closely with Morgan in ST but that didn't seem to have an effect as he wasn't playing hard (according to Jayson Werth). Either way, we have enough problems on this team without bringing race into it.Laynce Nix has been struggling mightily as he takes a seat against a righty. Since the ASB he's batting a paltry .170/.220/.319 with 10 Ks in 47 ABs.I think we're close to the point we need to bring Marrero up and move Morse back to LF. I just hope we don't have to wait until the rosters expand to do it. Marrero up and Bixler down seems like a fair trade to me.

Not to make excuses for Werth and the Nats for paying him a lot of money which I thought and still think it was the right move but Looking at C. Crawford line he has about contributed as much as Werth while making even more money.Yet, you always hear about how much the Nats overpaid and how ridiculous it was but I never hear how the Red Sox were so dumb to pay Crawford so much money.

In looking, I found this, which should straighten up some criticisms wrongly directed at Rizzo: This is Boswell on December 15, 2010:"The key man in the Nats' future was probably on display on Wednesday. But it wasn't Werth, even though Rizzo praised him as a combination of "skill-set and an attitude – he has superstar talent and a dirt-bag mentality."That man is probably Rizzo himself. Ever since the Nationals came to Washington, authority has always been divided at the top. No one person has ever spoken to the team's board (the Lerners) with the full weight of the front office's baseball expertise.As recently as this July, Rizzo had a deal done to send Adam Dunn to the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline for pitcher Edwin Jackson, 27, who has only a 48-51 career record but catches Rizzo's scouting eye with his 96 mph heat. Former team president Stan Kasten preferred to keep Dunn and try to sign him – immediately – to the kind of $37.5 million, three-year deal that Paul Konerko just took to stay in Chicago with the White Sox.Either solution would have constituted sensible baseball judgment. Tell Dunn: Sign by July 31 or we trade you for Jackson. Happens all the time. But the Nats did neither. The board followed Kasten's advice not to trade Dunn but didn't make an ultimatum and settle the issue."http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/15/AR2010121506929_3.html?sid=ST2010121507078

Well I have seen about 1500 Hockey games in person and on TV in my life does that count as a lot. I guess i should have said team sports and lacrosse could count among that group but the point was all you do is take a baseball or bat and with nothing else kill. But I am not saying you should just it's the hidden nature of the object used to play the game. Break a hockey stick and you have a good spear. Guns do not kill have you not heard only people do and baseballs and bats

Honestly no player deserves the kind of money Crawford and Werth got. But a case can be made for Carl since he had a better career until last offseason than Werth to ask for that kind of money. So fans expected him to receive a deal like that, whereas Werth was expected to go to one of these big market teams with not as much money. Nationals upset those teams and overpaid Jayson. thtat's my understanding.

From the same article:Rizzo is now under enormous pressure to produce. But that's the job he has wanted all his life. He's born and bred for this. For example, will he sign free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, formerly of the Diamondbacks? His first piece of homework was to call his father, the lifelong scout. "Dad sat on Arizona all year," says Rizzo.If Rizzo seems down to earth, almost humble to the point of homespun, he's also the kind of uncomplicated straight shooter and dogged worker who seems to have connected with Ted Lerner.

I read the thread from last night. I was unable to stay up for the end but had to comment on the "feel" around those posts, especially as the game was coming to an end and afterward. It felt like it was a group of friends sitting around a bar talking about the team and game they love. I was almost jealous I wasn't there! Just another reason I love this blog.GYFNG!

Here's what I was looking for:Throughout his career, Crawford has hit Red Sox pitching just as well as he has hit against everybody else – that is, as long as the games were in Tropicana Field. There, he had a flashy slash line of .327/.363/.482. But in lopsided Fenway Park, which works against all his tendencies as a hitter, Crawford has only hit one home run every 85 at-bats. In 338 career plate appearances in Fenway, a large sample over many years, he has an ugly .275/.301/.406 line.There's a name for speedy, weak-armed left fielders with those numbers. They're called AAAA players. Or young prospects. Many teams have one. The Nats' example is Roger Bernadina, except he can throw. Last year, Crawford's OPS was "only" 75 points lower in Fenway than elsewhere.Crawford's other flaw is that his career numbers against left-handed pitching are even worse than his stats in Fenway. Now, in the same lineup with lefties such as David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox will see every team's southpaws. Calling CC Sabathia. And Andy Pettitte and Cliff Lee?Few phrases are as filled with tingles and terror as "$100 million contract." But add the word "guarantee" and the hair really stands up on your neck. Nats fans have that double-edged feeling now. But Bosox fans who think Crawford's a safe bet should, too.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121006172.html

Rizzo is a complicated guy – great eye for talent, steely negotiator – perhaps lacking in people skills and very strong-willed. I am glad that I don't have to deal with him on a daily basis. A GM job is certainly not a job for the faint of heart. Of course, I am so sure that he cares what we think of him. Building a successful baseball team does not seem to be an easy thing to accomplish. Flynnie– agreed on responding to anonymous trolls…

Her him/her! Hear him/her! You speak for us all, LoveDaNats! I gave $50 to send Mark to Viera when he was orphaned by the Times, and then NatsFan1a invited me over here. I've felt very welcome – "where everybody knows your name!"

LoveDaNats said… I read the thread from last night. I was unable to stay up for the end but had to comment on the "feel" around those posts, especially as the game was coming to an end and afterward. It felt like it was a group of friends sitting around a bar talking about the team and game they love. I was almost jealous I wasn't there! Just another reason I love this blog.GYFNG! August 6, 2011 6:20 PM ___________________________Nice perspective! I think all the young ladies that post on here make this a unique place to comment. JaneB, NatsLady and NatsFan1a are all great! If there are other young ladies I missed, thanks for your contributions!

baseballswami said… Rizzo is a complicated guy – great eye for talent, steely negotiator – perhaps lacking in people skills and very strong-willed._________________________One big plus that Rizzo hasn't received credit for is that Rizzo didn't trade Lannan in the off-season. He stuck with him which worked out. Maybe he saw something, maybe he didn't. As mentioned yesterday, Lannan is making a name for himself so I think Rizzo deserves credit.You get grief for the ones you stick with like Wang, Slaten, Stairs and Burnett and maybe even MPHRod, so you deserve credit for the ones you stick by.

Gonat, I believe the Nats were the last team in the league to option a players not due to injury or Designate a player. Change is part of the game and Rizzo seems too commited at times like Stairs and Burnett and I fear HenRod and Wang.This bullpen is in really bad shape. 50 games to go. If the team plays .500 ball the rest of the way they finish with 79 wins. That has to be the minimal goal.

I've been watching premier league baseball on Fox, NY v. Sawx broadcast by Voice of Doom Buck. Superior talent – Annapolis' own Mark Texeira just hit a HR to make it 7-4. I feel sorry for the O's in the same division with these teams. All-Star teams playing in packed ballparks, but none of the charm of rooting for the underdog.

NatsLady, the Twins have the luxury of competing in the AL Central, not the AL East, and I think that keeps them in the playoffs. The O's – I don't know how they did it in '97, and I don't know how they will ever do it again, up against all that money in NY and Bos. The Nats? I agree-it can happen!

I too, have felt welcome, since I found this joint, back in February. Love the wit, love the knowledge, love that folks share that knowledge, without condecention. Love the friends! I would love to comment more, during games, but I'm listening on iPhone, after sunset, and it seems to get a little warm, if I try to do too much, at the same time… I look in a few times an hour, though…Pretty easy to doze off… During these western trips….

I don't like the west coast swings — about now I am just sitting here waiting for things to get started! Hoping Livo has his good stuff tonight and the bats are still awake. GYFNG!We need a game to talk about – that's why we have to fill in with Rizzo talk and other stuff. Last week it was trades, next week it will be signings. Is the Hagerstown Suns game going to be covered tomorrow – is anyone going to be there that could post during the game?? Please — if you are going , try to report in!

Mark'd, if you mean "due to injury" that someone went on the DL and the replacement player was optioned back I believe you are correct.The first true release was Brian Broderick on May 23rd I believe. If you scan MLBTradeRumors you see players optioned in April 2011 on other teams and many DFAs in early May. Problem is with the Nats, the players that keep getting mentioned didn't have options. By the way, watching the Red Sox Yankees game and Carl Crawford is 4 for 4 today.

Exposremains, talking about Werth, it appears that he is swinging again slightly opening his stance as his front foot pulls left.When Werth is hitting good, he is going with pitches opposite field and keeping his head still.. Would love to see him get on a consistent hot streak because when he does, this team will be scoring a lot of runs!!!!

Well, my two cents on the "everybody knows your name"… I am one of the ladies (of any age on this blog).. Mostly a cheerleader, but love all the insight that everyone brings and for the most part we chide the Neganons and they are only heard from a few times. I have watched baseball from birth.. A product of a long suffering Cubs fan, and everyday I still learn something new thanks to all the insightful commentary on this blog!

Werth in the 5 spot really does seem to have an effect on the team. It seems like Ankiel, Danny or Zim can get on and then we need rbi's from Zim, Morse or Werth. Things seem to stall when he doesn't hit. I like Desi in front of Ramos, if he can get on maybe Ramos can move him, or the pitcher can and then we can turn over the line-up. I hope Desi doesn't hold back tonight.

Thanks, Michelle! And when the starter goes into the 7th, the Nats win. And now Joe Buck, in his voice of strongest, strongest steel, funereally says, "If you don't have fun watching this Boston lineup swing the bat, then I don't think you like baseball." Incongruity is the heart of humor, and that had me laughing. Joe does not sound like he's having fun. Maybe he wants to – and that's why he uttered such a bon mot. I'm sure there's millions in Yankeeland who don't have fun watching the Boston lineup swing the bat. I don't have fun watching Todd Helton swing the bat for the Rockies.

Yeccch, Dave's talking about The Injury Last Night. Juan Nicasio is lucky to be alive. The ligaments at C1-2 are stronger than the vertebrae, which fracture before the ligaments stretch to protect the spinal cord. You see this injury – a fractured C1 – in head on car crashes. Juan has screws in his head affixed in a halo to keep him from moving and injuring his spinal cord.

@NatsLady in Target Field…When you get to Chicago.. PLEASE got to Al's Italian Beef on Taylor Street for me! I didn't get to go when I was there a few weeks ago for the Houston series!.. God I miss that place! Plus the little Italian ice shop across the street! Okay.. now I am hungry..I really hope Nicasio comes out of this okay! Hate to see anyone go down like that. I remember when Mussina got drilled in the eye… that wasn't pleasant

Ray Knight has some keen insights into last nights game. They'd have lost a few weeks ago, but last night they "scored in 4 stanzas" with 2 run triple in the 1st by Zimm, double by Ankiel, Desi, and homer by Michael." He said that HRod was breathing fast in the thin air, and just could not settle. I'd like to know how vigilant MLB is with those soggy, humidified balls. I wonder if the Rockies pitchers are the only ones throwing the balls from the humidifier.

Good news and bad news — the good news is that HRod is unavailable out of the pen tonight, the bad news is – so is Clip. Were any of you watching last night when Clip was in and HRod had taken the game from 4-0 to 4-3? Jordan was standing at the rail in the dugout – literally hiding his face – he just could not watch. He doesn't show a lot of emotion, but he was under a lot of stress and it really showed.

Natslady, I recommend Lou Malnati on North Wells or North State st (you probably know about it already). Awesome food and cheap.I think for $17, I had an appetizer, soup, and personal pizza. Next time I go to Chicago, I am definitely going there again.

Both Henry and Clipp had control problems last night. To induce a grounder, they must have to put spin on the ball that would cause it to end up in the dirt at sea level just to get it to break normally at a mile high.

Davey's pre-game interview – he said Clip and HRod won't pitch — but then , he has been know to reverse course quite often. Loved Drew Storen's interview last night – he is really articulate — talking about Clip making "man pitches" – quite funny.Their apartment must be an interesting place.

Question: Anyone going to Hagerstown Tomorrow? I am.. got tickets as soon as Mark Z Tweeted.. it's SRO and Pudge maybe catching…Since Stras is only going two…Is there anyone that I should be looking for tomorrow? I know one of the kids we got on 7/31 is there, but not sure who else to look for at this level.

Anonymous said… Zim is just EN FUEGO!! August 6, 2011 8:18 PM ___________________He is but if there was a man on 1st, Tulo would be cheating closer to 2nd for a double play and that one wouldn't have squirted through.

baseballswami said… SCNatsfan – Espi had 2 hits last night – but then, so did almost everyone. Well – except for Werth. Even JZim had 2 hits! August 6, 2011 8:22 PM __________________Espi's 1st hit was that questionable Tulo error. The 2nd hit was a nice double!

Gonat.. Kilgore has it on the WaPo site that he got cleared by the guy that did RZim's surgery and if he makes it through BP tomorrow, he might catch. I am thinking that Pudge would love to by Stras's personal catcher for the next few years.. kind of like he was with Nolan when he came upl

And Jayson is stranded on 3rd. Livo to lead off next inning. Desmond strikes out on a slider "just a bit outside" and Ramos come-backer to the pitcher. I hope the Nats hitting is less herbivorous for the rest of the game, but I think they might be tired of running around in that thin air. I could barely have a snowball fight when I was there.

Espi did smoke the ball at his last at bat but one good AB doesn't make up for the bad ABs he's had. I'm not saying to give up on the guy I'm saying sit him once in awhile, let him get a little hungry to get into the lineup.And he did have a sparkling defensive play last night too.

Wow – was on the phone for a bit – remind me not to walk away….What happened to Livo? And with no outs? Well, how many times have we had an early lead and then not scored again and lost. Maybe it's the Rockies turn? Is it ever too early for a rally? Looks like we're going to need some offense, boys. There's a big hole up there on the scoreboard that needs to be filled. Ok – 2 outs – now one more without another run…

Gonat said… Those pile-on runs are so important. I give the Rockies credit. The Nats have a deep hole tonight. Another one in Livan's recent ups and downs. August 6, 2011 8:59 PM __________________________There is the difference. Nats rarely pile-on to take advantage of a struggling pitcher.Then Livo %*($s up to give back a run with a center cut ball for a Wiggington HR.

LoveDaNats, Dunn felt the love here because Dunn hit here! Werth hasn't felt a lot of love, and even he is hitting better than Adam this year. I'm pulling for him as much as anyone, but….OMG, there go the wheels falling off!!!

Glad to be called YOUNG (a while ago,but I've been distracted by phone calls. Don't theynknow it's BASEBALL TIME?). Glad Nicasio's surgery was successful. Glad Pudge is cleared to play. Worried about Livan, though. He is leaving the ball up and we are about to get into a huge hole.Is it that the atmosphere is that different, or is Livo just tired? No snide replies please. It doesn't look like the Rockies are hitting great, just that they are getting meatballs tonight. Just wondering why.On the other hand, I think our guys will still be fighting, and I will still be watching.

Livo was really good in his last outing. Not so good today. The on-air guys were saying that they were worried he would have trouble because he relies on junk stuff and balls don't break in coors field. But — this is kind of silly now. That bases loaded situation with no outs for us — 2 paltry runs. Big hole now. Hope Gorzelanny has got something – he hasn't pitched much.Come on, Nats — epic comeback of the year! But first – please can we get out of this particular inning? Looking at another long one tonight.

We all love Livan but his up and down season and 4.40 ERA won't cut it. His nonchalant style while entertaining always kind of bothered me as it isn't how you want the youth thinking they can play with that carefree attitude. Tonight showed why and it bit him back. This makes Wang's last start look good in comparison.

Well… I'd say the bullpen for '12 is shaping up nicely! Storen, Clip, Matheus, Livo, Detwiler… That's a solid core. Livo and Det can work 2, if need be, Clip and Matty to set up, Store to shut down… What's not to like?Now, let's get some of these babies up, to see who's gonna fill out the rotation…

I have been basically happy with this team since Riggs left. BUT>>>>>I am done with Livo…Cut him today. Bring up some young arms….HE SENDS ALL THE WRONG MESSAGES WITH HIS I AM TOO COOL TO TRY FIELDING CRAP>>>>>>I HATE IT!

As Livo stumbles toward the elephant graveyard, look on the bright side.So far tonight, Harper is 3 for 4 with a homer, a triple and 3 RBIs. His average is up to .263. Danny Rosenbaum, in his first AA start, gave up one earned run over 5.2 innings.Livo is joining Wang in the hard-to-watch category. I'm about ready to find a movie and say: See. You. Later.Figure next year's rotation starts with Stras, Zimmermann, Detwiler and Lannan. It will be interesting to see who takes the fifth spot. Peacock? Milone? FA?

I really think we need to shut down Livo for the rest of the season and get some of our kids up. Hell, let him say his got "shoulder tightness" or something and let him ride out the season on DL to save face. But with nothing to play for, and nothing to gain from his starts, I'd rather use this time to answer some questions and get some guys some experience

Really not buying that nonchalance and carefree style is an issue… That's a looooong career's worth of making it happen. The youngsters won't be ruined by seeing they don't nessecarily need to bring an intimidating scowl to work, to be effective. The Seven Dwarves had it right….. Whistle while you work…(tweety tweet tweet tweet tweet tweeeet…)

Gonat, I don't think it's nonchalance. Everyone who knows him says he is a real competitor. I think other guys glare and stare, and Livo's way is "okay, you and me. Let's play some ball. See if you can hit THIS." Turns out, tonight, they can. But I think it is every bit as much a game face as the Clippard glare and the cutting eyes of Lincecum.

For me it will be wine and ice cream –any excuse for comfort food. And yes – I am ready for some call-ups. Is this officially a laugher yet? It's only the 5th – and this is coors. I think McCatty needs to tell Gorzelanny that he is now the sacrificial lamb and he is just staying in the game no matter what happens. Save the bullpen for tomorrow and the hot Cubs and just suck this one up.

Mark'd said… Livo's starts. Good, bad, good, good, bad, good for March/April. Bad, bad, good, good, good, bad for May. Good, bad, great, bad, good for June. Good, bad, good, good, bad for July. Great, awful for August. Nats could be 7-17 in games Livan starts after tonight. That record coupled with a 4.41 ERA won't do it. August 6, 2011 9:42 PM _____________________________________Well that is more ups and downs then a yo-yo. I still go by simple stats and 4.41 ERA and diminishing returns will end the Livan era in Washington. The team doesn't need an "innings eater" any more.

Why does a guy like Desmond go 4-4 and then fail twice to bring runner from 3rd . Livo hasn't been consistently good for a while. Somehow, I didnt think that he would do well in COL. I think that when pitcher sees the offense keep missing opportunities you feel let down and you kinda start not caring so much about the game.

Ah, this one's been hurting… I got hooked on DC baseball from going to Senators games with my father from ca. 69-71.. Pretty much lurk here and don't post much cause I'm mostly ignorant about baseball, but I just love having a team and am learning so much from this wonderful group. Thanks all!

If Livo gets bumped, and I agree it might be time*, I think it is back to Gorzy for a bit. It can't be ALL kids right now, and Gorzy is young enough that if he turns it around, he could stay for a few years. I am betting the under, but I think it is worth a shot. I guess that I would go JZ, lannan, Gorzy, Det and Wang for now. Hopefully JZ stretches to Stras, and then keep Peacock, Meyer and maybe Stammen in reserve (I think Milone is for next year). I am done with Maya, I just don't think he is a major league starter (or even bullpen, actually).But the rotation looks creaky the rest of the way, for sure.* I do think Livo is ready to be bumped out of the rotation, but this isn't the best example for him because altitude is bad for spinning pitches, and Livo lives off that.

Drew8 said… Figure next year's rotation starts with Stras, Zimmermann, Detwiler and Lannan. It will be interesting to see who takes the fifth spot. Peacock? Milone? FA? August 6, 2011 9:38 PM_______________________I guess you missed Jordan Zimmermann's pre-game interview yesterday. He didn't say Detwiler for next year when asked about the 2012 rotation. It doesn't mean it won't happen. Just not sure what you have seen to proclaim that now? I see a 3 to 5 inning guy and that doesn't cut it as a starter. Detwiler's Syracuse season wasn't much to write home about either.Clearly, Zimmermann, Strasburg, Lannen, and then 2 open spots. The Free Agent market is light for starters as Mark Buerle and Chris Carpenter are the 2 best and Carpenter is not having a great year and some guy named Jason Marquis is the next best. The Yankees and Red Sox are going to take whoever they can so I don't see the Nats getting anyone great and may not even get Marquis next year so it may be 2 internal candidates.

JaneB said… Gonat, I don't think it's nonchalance. Everyone who knows him says he is a real competitor.____________________I have golfed with him so I know he is competitor. I love the guy. It doesn't mean that you can't appear to be nonchalant and not be a competitor or vice versa. It is more the appearance to kids who watch him as they don't know the difference.

Oh, for Henry Aaron! Hammerin' Hank was the best at beating a two strike count I've ever seen. Werth, after fighing off 9 pitches, goes gently into that good night, and is, once again, a multi- millionaire rally-killer.

I am flying blind here, not willing to read thru 157 comments. I am also betting this will not be the first suggestion on this and I won't come back to hear what others think but I just wrote one of my season ticket holder partners screaming about Livan. When are they going to get rid of him and bring up the young guys so we can see what next year is going to be like? Livan can't be a part of what hopefully we are building. What really gets me mad is this friend is the eternal optimist and I keep winning beers from him because he makes stupid bets. There are still 3 beers out there and I wanted to actually lose one of the bets but its just so easy to take him to the cleaners. Problem is, like I said, I want to lose some of the bets because I do want us to be good. He actually bet that Livan would have an era under 3.9 this year. So thats one. Second bet was the Nationals make the playoffs! and the 3rd was a .500 finish. Really hope I lose the last but it doesn't look good right now.

Nice 2 -out rally! Funny how so many rallies end with the same person, though. The 2,3, and 4 hitters are tearing it up.Ankiel surprising me with his leading off — he has really adjusted his approach. Very important not to give up any more runs here. Gorzelanny is a starting pitcher – he should be able to stay in there.

F.P.: Somebody turned the humidor off last night. 10-7, with Davey causing a Blue Confabulation where the umps are making their plans for the evening and then confirming that it stayed in the park, so the runner doesn't have to go back to 3rd.

MicheleS said… And they better sign RZ to a Tulo like contract soon.. I DO NOT WANT TO SEEM HIM WITH ANOTHER TEAM! August 6, 2011 10:28 PM ________________________Tulo signed a big hometown discount. The Nats would do that deal in an instant. They are going to have to pay him a few bucks above that Werth contract!

exposremains – I think you are onto something with the combo of Zimm and Morse. In order to get through the order, you have to deal with both. Somehow, though,it seems like mlb has not caught on to Morse and they continue to let him hit – was it last night that they walked Zim to get to him? The 2 of them together seem to protect each other. On the few occasions where Werth joined that party, it was awesome.

I know, swami! I was shocked they pitched around Zimm to get to Morse. He made them pay, too.Gonat, how lucky you got to play golf with Livan! That must have been a truly fun day. But I think kids know he isn't a slacker. Especially the ones in the dugout with him. These owners better pay RZimm whatever he wants. Seriously.

There's no bugs in Denver – too high, even in the summer, you can sleep with the windows open. No swarms from Lake Erie all over Joba Chamberlain. But something looked like it bit Gonzalez in right field. Maybe a nuclear spider. And now we're 11-7.

JaneB said… Gonat, how lucky you got to play golf with Livan! That must have been a truly fun day. But I think kids know he isn't a slacker. Especially the ones in the dugout with him. August 6, 2011 10:37 PM _____________________My buddy set up the outing and asked me to play. On the first hole we pull up to the gold tees and Livan stops his cart 30 yards behind us yelling. He goes we are playing the pro tees. He is quite the athlete. I have played with many of the Nats and former Nats.

Anonymous said… Now Burnett fails the 2012 audition. Next? August 6, 2011 10:44 PM _______________Don't think so. Rizzo gave him a 2 year contract in the off-season.FP and Carpenter had the same conversation that some of you had last night about the really bad bullpen other than Clippard & Storen.

I don't know what Davey could have done differently tonight, apart from pull Livo a little earlier. But even if he had, he has no one to go to. Thats not his fault. I have to believe if we had anyone in the minors who could come in, we would have seen 'em up by now.Oh, Werth. I feel terrible for you. Another 9 pitch at bat ending in nothing.

Dave Sheinen did an "All Nice Guy" team. Will Nieves was the catcher – always had a smile on his face, just so happy to be here. Sean "The Mayor" Casey was at 1st. Charlie Manuel managed. Jamie Carroll was at second. Vinnie Castilla may have been at 3rd – maybe Zimm would qualify among active players.

flynnie said… Gonat – Who do you like the best of the Nats you've played with? August 6, 2011 11:01 PM ________________Definitely Craig Stammen. He plays like a pro with birdie opportunities on most holes. I have never golfed with Clippard and heard he is really good. Old Nat Tim Redding was good too.

Didn't have good enough internet connection to watch the Nats game from Target Field. Saw from the out of town scoreboard it was 9-2 and then 9-7, come home it's 13-7. Guess I will check the gameday summary and boxscore, but they probably don't do it justice.

baseballswami, yep, both. Every pitcher except Gorzelanny has played to their scouting report and that isn't a good thing.Coffey can't finish an inning. Livan is inconsistent. Henry Rodriguez is wild and you can hit him when he misses his spots. Burnett will hang one to the 1st batter and score whoever he inherits on base.That sure wraps it up and a good thing Matteus didn't throw.

They have a very funny rule at Target Field that they announce by loud speaker when you come into the park: You are allowed to have umbrellas in the park but you are not allowed to use them. Nope, you can't open them in the seating area (where it might rain).

Seems so Eugene, seems so. And the game comes to a merciful end. The Nats pitchers don't have to pitch, and the hitters don't have to hit until tomorrow afternoon, after which they get a day off. Nights like this make the victories so unlikely and exhilerating! They did this with the Braves, if memory serves. Just got thrashed and came back to win the next day. But, to quote Whitey Herzog, "We're just one or two players short of the playoffs: Babe Ruth and Whitey Ford."

Gonat, thanks for those snapshots of golf-playing Nats! I also love the idea Flynnie shared of the "all nice guy" team. Livo goes on my roster, as does Morse. But what the IDEA of an all nice guy team did for me was collapse the construct I've had in my heart about when and why I like various players, "All nice guy" team membership is 50% of why I liked Dunn so much (homers being the other part). And I truly didn't register how much the "nice guy, I like you" factor played into my views. I'm a little appalled, actually.

JaneB – You're a moral North Polar Star. Stars should be likeable. e.g. Cal was at short. The whole world is rooting for Dunn – it was on the front page of the Wednesday Times! I would not want Barry Bonds, Jose Guillen, Albert Belle, or Roger Clemens (who beaned Piazza and then threw a broken bat at him from the mound) on my team. And Zimm et. al. where glad to see Jose Guillen leave.

NatsLady – Condolences on seeing Dunn go 0-4, only to see the home team lose on a home run by his replacement! And when you turn to the Nats for consolation, you see that their piching staff has everyone thinking of doing a swap with the Sally league.

Regulars here know that there's no one more in Livan's camp than me. But after that inexplicable play he made on the bunt I'm thinking it's time for him to miss a few starts. Another thought: did I read correctly that Lannan has a winning record going into today? Knock me over with a feather.

Agree on Lannan. Livo was awesome in Houston. I wouldn't ditch him on the basis of one bad start at one mile high. And, for perspective, this excellent post:Mark'd said…Livo's starts. Good, bad, good, good, bad, good for March/April. Bad, bad, good, good, good, bad for May. Good, bad, great, bad, good for June. Good, bad, good, good, bad for July. Great, awful for August. Nats could be 7-17 in games Livan starts after tonight. That record coupled with a 4.41 ERA.August 6, 2011 9:42 PM

Another_Sam, for next season I am with you but he is still a better option than Wang as this is Livo's pattern usually. Bad then good, so we can only hope. Did anyone have the stomach to watch the post-game show? I think it was Amanda Cormack asked Davey what he thought of Livan's record in Starts: 7-17. Davey brushed right by the question.

Well, that was a stinker. Not much worth rehashing for me, so here are some season observations.Nats 54-59, with 49 games to play. 27-22 gets them to .500, 21-28 gets them to 75 wins. 14-35 gets them to 68 wins (finish worse than last year). I see .500 as more likely than 68 wins, with mid 70's most likely. They have slipped to -23 run differential, 11th in the league. I haven't checked trends but it feels like this has worsened over the last few weeks.They have the 5th best home record n the NL, but unfortunately they are tied for 14th in road record. The feeling that they can't win on the road is backed up by stats. Luckily, they have more than half their remaining games at home (26).So, with all that, it will come down to pitching. Anyone got any to spare?

Flynnie, as I read that list of players, my stomach turned. Now I feel better rooting for good players I LIKE! Thanks.Livo is streaky, and he comes back. And he had some fine starts with NO RUN SUPPORT, especially early in tne season. I still put him out there ahead of Wang and Gorzo, whether he is a nice guy or not. Why do people remember only the bad stuff?

Wally, good stats and agree it will come down to pitching. As bad as Wang and Livo were this week, the bullpen isn't helping. The game last night and the Detwiler game were in reach if the bullpen both games held firm.